Block-signal system for electric railways.



No. 797,141- PATENTED AUGQ15, 1905.

P. R. McBBRTY 6: M. B. LAUNBRANGH.

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS. APPLIGATIOH rum) same, 1904.

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No. 797,141. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905.

P. R. MoBERTY & M. B. LAUNBRANGH. BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICRAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTyQ} 1904.

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F. R. MoBERTYGz M. E. LAUNBR'ANOHL BLOCK SIG SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICRAILWAYS.

PLI GATION FILED SEPTA. 1904.

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APPLIOATION FILED SBPT.9| 1904.

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N0. 797,141 PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905. F. R. MGBERTY & M. E. LAUNBRANOH.BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1904.

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BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

APPLIGATION FILED SE1T.9, 1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT 7 OFFICE.

-FRANK It. MoBERTY, OF EVANSTON, AND MALCOLM E. LAUNBRANCH, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

Application filed September 9, 1904. Serial No. 223,834.

To (ti/Z whom zit may concern.-

Be it known that we,FRANK R. MCBERTY,

. residing at Evanston, and MALooLM E. LAUN- concise, and exactdescription.

Our invention relates to a block-signaling system, and has for itsobject to providean improved arrangement of circuits and apparatus whichwill be especially adapted for use in connection with electricrailways,and which will be reliable and certain in its operation and assimple as possible.

In single-track trolley systems turnouts or switches are preferablylocated at intervals along the track, so that cars coming from 0ppositedirections may meet and pass one another, and where these turnouts arelocated a considerable distance apart it is desirable to provide signalsin association therewith to indicate to the operator of a car entering aturnout whether the section of track immediately ahead of him is clearor whether a car is traveling thereon in either direction, and thesystem of our invention may be conveniently employed for this purpose.

Our invention is also capable of application to double-tracktrolley-roads, and our blocksignalsmay be located at intervals along thetrack as desired for the purpose of spacing the carsthat is, if it isdesired to have but one car upon a given section of track at a time theblock-signal of our invention may be utilized to indicate to theoperator of a car approaching a given section of track whether suchsection is clear or in use.

As applied to single-track systems, as above indicated, our inventioncontemplates a pair of semaphore-signals, one at each end of the block,normally resting in danger position, with means operated by a carentering the block for causing the block-signal at that particular endto indicate whether a car is on the block or whether the same is clear.Each of the semaphores is under the control of electromagneticmechanism, and a car entering upon the block, in case the same is clear,will cause the block-signal at that particular end to display a clearsignal or go-ahead signal.

The operation of either block-signal to display a go-ahead signal servesto render the semaphore at the opposite end of the particular section oftrack unresponsive to a car entering the track from that end, so that incase the operator of a car should disregard the danger-signal displayedand should attempt to enter the track he would be unable to operate thesemaphore to obtain a clear signal and would thus be doubly warned ofthe useof the track. The car in leaving a block operates mechanismforrestoring the semaphores at both ends of the block to their normalcondition.

In the preferred form of our invention a pair of magnets is arranged togovern step-by-step mechanism controlling the circuit of thesemaphore-operating magnet. ing the block at one end in case the same isclear operates a switch which completes a circuit, including one magnetof said pair, which operates the step-by-step mechanismin such a way asto complete a circuit for the semaphoremagnet. Said magnet upon beingthus energized moves the semaphore-arm to display a safety-signal. Eachof the semaphores may carry two lenses of distinctive colorone toindicate safety and the other to indicate dangerand the danger-lens mayin the normal position of the semaphore lie in front of a signal-lamp.The completion of the circuit by the trolley-switch for the magnetcontrolling the step-by-step mechanism brings about the illumination ofa lamp at the distant blocksignal, and as the semaphore at that end isnot operated the lens of the semaphore normally in front of the lamp isilluminated, thereby displaying a danger-signal, the signal remainingdisplayed until the car leaves the block. A circuit for thecorresponding lamp at the first block-signal is completed by thesemaphore-arm in its movement, said arm in its movement bringing thesafety-lens in front of the lamp to give a clear or go-ahead signal. Asthe car leaves the block at the opposite end it operates a switch whichserves to complete a circuit for the second magnet of the pair firstreferred to, which operates the step-by-step mechanism to open thecircuit for the semaphore-controlling magnet, so restoring the normalcondition of the apparatus at both ends of the block.

Our invention also contemplates certain im- A car upon enterthesolenoid-core.

b and electromagnets a (Z c.

nify safety.

lens it brought in front of the lamp provements in the mechanicalfeatures and l of the containing-case behind abulls-eyef in mechanism ofthe block-signal whereby a compact, efficient, and reliable structure isobtained.

We will describe our invention particularly by reference to theaccompanying drawings,

and the particular parts, improvements, or

combinations which we consider novel will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the opertrolling the circuit of thesolenoid which opi erates the semaphore-arm and signals. Fig. 4 is abottom view of the same. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of a portion ofthe mechanism thereof. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the block-signal,showing the sennmhore-arm in its normal position. Fig. 8 is a sectionalview of the solenoid associated with our improved block-signal, showingthe dash-pot for Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of thestep-by-step mechanism, and Figs. 10 and 10 illustrate the circuitconnections of our system as applied to a singletrack trolley-line.

The same characters of reference are used to designate the same parts ineach of the figures of the drawings.

\Ve will proceed to describe the mechanical construction of our improvedblock-signal.

ieferring first to Fig. 1, upon the inner surface of the containing-caseis secured a plate (1, upon which are mounted a solenoid the solenoid issuitably connected to a shaft f, so that when the core is rcciprocatedit serves to impart a rotary motion to the shaft. The shaft in turnoperates to move a semaphore-arm carried thereby, from a horizontalposition, which may be the'danger position, to a diagonal position,which may sig- An arm f 15 carried by the shaft, and two lnsulatedcontact members f f (see Fig. 2) are secured thereto, the

said contact-disks, wlnch are preferably cut contact member f servingwhen the arm f The core Z1 of is in its normal position to electricallyconi nect contacts f f 'hen the shaft f is rotated, the arm f is movedto cause the contact members f f to electrically connect contacts ff"and f f, respectively. The shaftalso carries lenses it h of differentcolors, preferably red and green, respectively, the lens 7t normallylying in front of the lamp 2.. hen the shaft is rotated, however, by themovement of the solenoid-core, the lens it is moved away from its normalposition and the 1mmediately in front of the lamp 1 is an opening in thefront of the containing-case of the block-signal in which is placed abulls-eye -17. A lamp Z is also mounted upon the bottom the frontthereof.

\Ve preferably make the solenoid of an extra large number ofampere-turns and provide the core with a weight 0', whereby the weightof the semaphore-arm becomes a negligible factor in the work expended inmoving the same from one position to the other, thus rendering itsoperation more reliable and certain, so that should the semaphore-armbecome loaded down with snow or the like it would not be made sluggishin its movement.

In order to prevent the too rapid movement of the solenoid-core from oneposition to another, a dash-pot is formed within the solenoid. Thisdash-pot consists of a cylinder i within which the core reciprocates. Atthe top of the cylinder is provided a small airvent Zr, and a cap 75 iscarried by the end of the solenoid-core, registering closely with thewalls of the cylinder Zr. It will thus be seen 3' that the core whenattracted by the energization of the solenoid cannot move too swiftly orwith a rush, owing to the air in the upper portion of the cylinder l;acting as a dash-pot or retarder; but as the air escapes through thevent Z" the core is uniformly advanced. In a like manner when themagnetism of the solenoid is removed the core cannot move back to itsnormal position with a jar, but is gradually returned as more air isallowed to enter through the vent h.

Referring now to the step-by-step mechanism controlling the circuit ofthe solenoid b, the operation of which is under the immediate control ofthe magnets (Z and a, before mentioned, a shaft 1 is mounted instandards I Z, secured to a suitable supporting-plate I, said shaftcarrying a rotatable collar Z, to which is secured a ratchet-wheel I. Asecond rotatable collar 1/! is mounted upon the shaft t and carries aratchet-wheel m, together with two contact plates or disks 1127 1/15,mounted close together, but insulated from one another and from thecollar m, the disk 111 being connected with a metal collar m, securedupon the collar 11/, but insulated therefrom. A block of insulation m iscarried by away to receive said block, so that the same may rest withits surface approximately flush with the peripheries of said disks, anda finger 111 carried by the ratchet-wheel l, normally rests upon saidinsulation and isadapted when the said insulation m" is removed fromunder the same by the rotation of said disks to connect them together. Acontact-spring m bears against the surface of the disk m, while a springm bears against the collar 122. which is electrically connected with thedisk m as stated.

The magnets (Z and a are provided with armatures d c, respectively,pivoted to the support F, the armatures carrying lugs (Z (Z and erespectively, between which are pivoted 'pawls 03 6 adapted to engagethe teeth of the ratchet-wheels Z* and m, respectively, to rotate thesame. The armature c is preferably provided in addition With two backcontacts 6 0 so that the circuit including said contacts may bepositively opened the instant the armature begins its attractedmovement, this provision also being made for the purpose of avoiding theuse of objectionable moving parts in the circuit. Each of saidratchet-wheels is provided with a detent n, pivoted to the support Z,the ends of the lugs carried by each of the armatures d c normallyresting against the free ends of such detents to lock the same in theirposition of engagement with the ratchet-wheels, so as to prevent themovement of the ratchet-wheels in either direction. In order to preventthe ratchet-wheels from being moved more than one step at a time, lugs nn are secured to the supporting-frame Z in position to engage cars a ncarried by the pawls d 6 when the same are moved by the attraction oftheir armatures cl 6, respectively.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 10, we will proceed to describe thecircuit connections and mode of operation of the block-signal system ofour invention as applied to a single-track trolley-line. In such asystem turnouts or switches are provided at intervals along the road,where cars may meet and pass one another. We have shown a section of atrolley- .line equipped with two block-signals A A of our invention, oneat either end thereof, and

5 it may be assumed that a turnout is provided at each end of thissection. We will describe in detail the circuit connections of theblock- 'signal A only, it being understood that the equipment andconnections of the block-signal A are precisely identical.

The trolley-wire would of course be connected with the free pole of agrounded source of current, preferably of from five to six hundredvolts, the track or tracks serving as the return portion of the circuit.extends from the trolley-wire 1 through the pilot-lamp i to the track ortracks 3, the continuity of this circuit being controlled by thearmature c of the magnet 0, so that normally when the track is clear theblock-signal will display a white light and the semaphore-arm will be inits horizontal or danger position, the white light simply showing to theoperator of an approaching car where the block-signal is located. Therelay 0 is included in a branch conductor 4 extending from the conductor2 to the contacts f f of the semaphore-arm.

A slight distance from the ends of each turnout is provided a switchdevice 19 to be operated by a passing car. Thus a car passing over agiven section of track would operate two of these switches, one at thetime of entering the block and the other immediately before leaving thesame. This switch may be any of the well-known devices for per- Aconductor 2' forming this worksuch, for example, as that shown in PatentNo. 711,036, to WVinthrop M. Chapman, dated October 14, 1902.

Aconductor 5 extends from the trolley-wire to the contact 3) of theswitch-lever 10, the alternate contact 19 whereof is connected by aconductor 6 with the track or tracks 3, forming the return portion ofthe circuit, said conductor including the winding of magnet e. Theswitch-lever 10 forms the terminal of a conductor 7, which extends tothe block-signal A at the distant end of the section of the line, whereit includes the back contacts 6 c of magnet 6 terminating in contacts fand f 6 of solenoid b. The contact f is normally connected by the arm fwith contactf which is connected to the portion of the trolleywire withwhich block-signal A is associated by way of conductors 4 2, includingthe winding of relay 0. This circuit is adapted to be completed by theswitch 9 at station A to effect the en ergization of relay 6, whichthereupon rotates the disks m m to short-circuit them. A conductor 8extends from conductor 7, which is thus normally connected with thetrolley-wire to the spring at, bearing against the contact-disk m whilethe spring m, which is electrically connected with the companion disk mis, connected by conductor 9 with conductor 6, leading to the track orground return 3, said conductor 9 including the solenoid b. Thus uponthe short circuiting of the disks m m by relay 0 a branch from saidcircuit is completed through the solenoid 7) to operate the semaphoreand move the lens 70 in front of lamp c'. The contacts f* f, associatedwith the solenoid 7), are arranged to be connected together by thecontact member f (see Fig. 2) of the arm f when said arm is moved to itsalternative position, as already described, and when thus connected saidcontacts complete the circuit of a conductor 10, extendingfrom the wireito the railorgroundreturn 3, so that a circuit 1 2 4t 10 3 iscompleted, including the winding of relay 0. Relay 0 when energized isadapted to break at its back contact the circuit of conductor 2, whichincludes the lamp 2' and close at its front contact a branch 11,extending to the rail or ground-return 3 and including the lamp 2', thusilluminating the lens 7a to display a distinctive signal. Two additionalcontacts f f are arranged to be connected together by the contact memberf", Fig. 2, of the arm f when the same is moved to its alternativeposition. The contact f is connected by a conductor 12 with a wire 13,leading to the switchlever 0 at the distant block-signal, while thecontact f is connected by a wire 14 with conductor 6 andincludes thewinding of magnet d, so that when the semaphore at station A is in itsalternative position a circuit for the magnet (Z will be brought underthe control of the switch 19 at the distant block-signal.

Magnet d is adapted when energized to break the short circuit of theplates m m and restore the apparatus to its normal condition.

hen the switch-lever p of block-signal A is moved into engagement withits anvil by a car traveling in the direction of the arrow, a circuitfrom the trolley to the rail will be completed, including magnet awhichmay be traced as follows: Starting from the blocksignal A, fromtrolley-wire 1, conductors 2 and 4, winding of relay 0, contacts f f ofsolenoid b, conductor 7, contacts 0 c of relay e at block-signal A,thence to block-signal A, contacts of switch 2, conductor 6, winding ofrelay a to earth. The magnet 0 whenthus energized is adapted to completea circuit for the solenoid 7). This it accomplishes in drawing up itsarmature a by causing pawl a to step the ratchet-wheel m forward, andthereby rotate the contact-disks m m", moving the insulating-block micarried by said disks, away from under the finger 211.", so that saidfinger rests upon the peripheries of the disks and electrically connectsthem, thereby completing a circuit for the solenoid, which may be tracedfrom the trolley-wire l at blocksignal A, conductors 2 and 4:, windingof relay 0, contacts f' f"'of solenoid 7), conductor 7 conducts a c ofrelay 0 at block-signal A, thence to block-signal A, conductor 8, springm", which bears upon contact-disk m thence across the finger m to thedisk m, spring m conductor 9, solenoid Z), conductor 6 to earth. Thesolenoid 7/ when thus energized draws up its core 7), and thereby movesthe somaphore-arm g into its diagonal or safety position, the arm fbeing thereby caused to connect together contactsf and f 'f, asdescribed. The connection of contacts f completes a circuit 1 2 4 1O 3at the blocksignal A, including the relay 0. The relay 0 thereupon drawsup its armature and opens the circuit through the lamp i completing atits front contact a circuit 1 2 11 3, including the lamp 7'. As thesemaphore-arm is now down, the lens it will have been moved so as to liein front of said lamp, and a distinctive colored signal will be given toindicate that the track is clear and that the car may proceed. This lensis preferably green, which is the usual go-ahead or safety signal.

It will be noted that when the switch-lever p was first moved againstits anvil the circuit l 2 4: 7 6 3, starting from the trolleywire atblock A and including relay 0 of block-signal A, was established, whichincluded the relay 0 of the block-signal A. Said relay thereon becameenergized and drew up its armature, completing a circuit for the lamp 1'of that block-signal. The solenoid at that block-signal being inert, thelens it will be in front of the lamp 2', and this lens being of somedistinctive color to indicate "danger, preferably red, a signal willthus be displayed at the distant end A of the section of track toindicate to a car approaching the blocksignal A from the right(referring to Fig. 10) that a car has entered the block from the distantendthat is, at the end where the blocksignal A is located. This circuitis of course only momentary; but owing to the energization of relay 0 atblock-signal A the circuit 1 2 4 7 8 9 6 3, including the solenoid Z),is completed, as already described, which remains established until thecar leaves the block, and as this circuit includes the magnet 0 ofblock-signal A the danger-signal of that block-signal will remaindisplayed until the car leaves the particular section of track inquestion.

\Vhen a car traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow reachesthe switch 22 at the far end of the block where the signal A is located,it moves the switch-lever 1) into engagement with the contact 1)thereof, whereupon a circuit is completed from the trolley-wire at thatend of the block to energize relay (l, this circuit being by way ofconductors 5 13, contacts a a of the magneteof the block-signal A,conductor 12, through contacts f f, connected together by the armf,thence through conductors 1A and 6 to the track or ground-return 3, thiscircuit including the winding of magnet (Z of the block-signal A. Themagnet (Z being thus energized draws up its armature (Z, causing thepawl (1 carried thereby to advance the ratchet-wheel Z and move thelinger m forward upon the insulation m, whereupon the circuit 1 2 A 7 89 6 3, previously traced and including the solenoid, is broken, thusdeenergizing the solenoid I) of the block-signal A and the magnet c ofthe block-signal A. The core of the solenoid in moving back to itsnormal position causes the armf to reconnect together contacts f f andopen the circuit through the magnet 0, which allows its armature to fallback, completing the circuit of conductor 2, which includes the lamp f.The magnet 0 of the block-signal A also allows its armature to fallback, restoring the normal circuit through the lamp vi of suchbloclcsignal.

It will be noted that whenever a car enters the block at the end wherethe block-signal A is located a danger-signal is displayed at theblock-signal A at the distant end of the section of track in question,and if the car approaching from the right toward the block-signal Ashould attempt to enter upon the block, dis regarding the danger-signaldisplayed, the closing of the switch-lever 1) against its anvil p couldnot operate to close a circuit for the magnet e of the block-signal atthat end of the section of track, and thus permit the semaphore-arm tomove to a safety position, because such circuit would be open at thecontacts f f controlled by the solenoid at blocksignal A, and theoperator of such a car would be doubly warned of the car coming towardhim.

In order to prevent two cars which may enter a block or section of trackfrom different ends thereof at approximately the same time from bothgetting the safety-signal by each completing a circuit through thesolenoid I; at the block-signal at the end where such ear enters, wepreferably make the magnet e quick act ing and have provided the backcontacts 6 e for the armature thereof, so that the instant the armaturebegins its attracted movement the circuit including said contacts willbe positively opened. Thus the first car to enter the block from eitherend will by closing the switch 10 and energizing the magnet e of theblocksignal associated with that end of the track, render it impossiblefor a car attempting to enter the block from the opposite end an instantlater to complete a circuit for the magnet e of the block-signal at itsend of the section, and so get the safety-signal, for the circuit ofsuch magnet will be open at the back contacts 6 e of the correspondingmagneteat the blocksignal at the distant end of the section, if suchcircuit is not already open at the contacts f 2 f controlled by the armf of such block-signal.

We claim 1. In a block-signaling system for electric railways, thecombination with semaphoresignals, one at each end of the block, andcontrolling-magnets e e for the same, of a circuit for each magnetincluding a source of current, a controlling-switch p for each circuitat the other end of the block, and switch-contacts associated with eachof said magnets and adapted to be operated thereby to render inoperativethe circuit of the other magnet, whereby the operation of both signalssimultaneously is prevented.

2. In a signal system for electric railways,

the combination with two semaphoresignals, one at each end of a block,said signals rested to be moved to a clear position, electromagneticmechanism adapted to restore said signal to a danger position, asupplementary signal device 0, branches of the aforesaid signal-circuitincluding said signal device and the electromagnetic restoringmechanism, a switch associated with the first-mentioned signal adaptedto close said branches of the signal-circuit alternatively, and atrolley-switch at the other end of the block adapted to control saidsignal-circuit.

i. In a block-signal system for electric railways, the combination witha signaling-circuit closed, whereby the momentary closureof switch 10results in the permanent display of the proper signals at both ends ofthe block.

5. In a block-signal system for electric railways, the combination witha signaling-circuit including magnetic mechanism adapted to display adanger-signal at one end of 'a 7 block, and other magnetic mechanismadapted to display a clear signal at the other end of the block, of atrolleyswitch adapted momentarily to close said signal-circuitas a carpasses onto the block, switch-contacts controlled by said last-mentionedelectromagnetic mechanism adapted to maintain the closure of saidsignaling-circuit after its momentary closure by said trolley switch, anelectromagnet d adapted when energized to interrupt said signal -circuitto cause the withdrawal of said signals, and a switch 29 at the otherend of said block closed as the car passes off of the block to eifectthe energization of said magnet (Z.

6. In a block-signaling system for electric railways, the combinationwith a pilot-lamp a a signal-lamp 71, a relay 0 adapted to control thealternative illumination of said lamps, and an actuating-circuit forsaid relay, of targets it h adapted alternately to be brought in frontof said lamp a to change its indication, electromagnetic mechanism formoving said targets, and a trolley-switch 3? adapted to control theactuation of said electromagnetic mechanism.

7 In a block-signal system for electric railways, the combination withtwo semaphoresignals, one at each end of a block, and electromagneticmechanism adapted to control the same, of lamp-signals e'z' associatedone with each of said semaphore signals, and adapted to cooperatetherewith in the production of distinctive signal indications, relays cc controlling said lamp-signals, trolley switches p 12, one at each endof the block, two signal-circuits, each including one of saidsemaphore-controlling electromagnetic mechanisms and one of saidswitches 9 at one end of the block, and switch-contacts associated witheach of said semaphore-signals adapted when the associated semaphore isoperated to render the other signal-circuit inoperative.

8. In a block-signal system for electric railways, the combination withtwo' signal-controlling magnets 7/71, one at each end of a block, saidmagnets being adapted when energized to display signals indicating thatthe block is clear, of switch-contacts associated with each of saidmagnets cont-rolled thereby, said switch-contacts oeing opened when themagnet is actuated. a signal-circuit for each of said magnets includingthe switch-contacts of the other magnet. and trolley-switches one ateach end of the block adapted to close the signal-circuit including themagnet at that end of the block subject to the control of theswitch-contacts associated with the magnet at the other end of theblock, whereby but one of said magnets may be actuated to display itssignal at any one time.

9. In a block-signal system foreleetric railways, the combination with asignal-circuit extending from a source of current-supply at one end ofthe block to earth at the other end, of a signal device at the earthedend of the circuit normally displaying a danger-signal, electromagneticmechanism included in said circuit at the earthed end thereof, andadapted when operated to change the indication of said signal device toa safety or clear signal, a trolley-switch included in and controllingsaid circuit, and danger-signal mechanism included in said circuit atthe end thereof connected with the source of current-supply, current forthe operation of said clear-signal-controlling mechanism being suppliedthrough said danger-signal mechanism when the latter is in its normalcondition, whereby an abnormal condition of said danger-signal mechanismor of the signal-circuit between the two ends of the block prevents thelow of current to said clear-signal mechanism to operate the same.

10. In a block-signal system for electric railways, the combination withtwo signal-circuits, each extending from a source of currentsupply atone end of the block to earth at the other end thereof, the connectionof the two circuits with the source of current being at opposite ends ofthe block, of a signal device at each end of the block normallydisplaying a danger-signal, electromagnetic mechanism included in eachof said circuits at the earthed end thereof adapted to cause said signaldevices to display clear signals; a trolley-switch included in andcontrolling each of said circuits, danger-signal mechanism included ineach of said circuits at the end thereof conneetcd with the source ofcurrent-supply, current for the operation of saidclear-signal-controlling mechanism being supplied through saiddanger-signal mechanism only when the latter is in its normal condition,whereby an abnormal condition of said danger signal mechanism or ofeither signal circuit between the two ends of the block prevents theflow of current to its associated clear-signaleontrolling mechanism tooperate the same, and means made operative in the actuation of theclear-signal-controlling mechanism of one of said circuits to alter theother circuit to prevent the operation of its associatedclearsignal-controlling mechanism at the other end of the block.

11. In a block-signaling system for electric railways,the combinationwith two signals,one at each end of the block, normally resting in adanger position, of electromagnetic mechanism associated with saidsignals and adapted to move the same to a clear position, switchcontactsassociated with each of said signals and adapted to be closed when thesignals are in the danger position, a source of current, and anactuating-circuit for the electromagnetic mechanism of each of saidsignals, said circuit including said source of current and beingcontrolled in said switch-contacts of the other signal, whereby one ofsaid signals can be moved to its clear position only when the othersignal is in the danger position.

12. In a block-signalsystemfor electricrailways, the combination with asignal at one end of the block normally resting in its danger positionand electromagnetic mechanism associated therewith adapted to move thesignal to its clear position, of an actuating-circuit including saidmechanism extending from earth to a source of current at the other endof 'the block, a signal at the other end of the blocl: normally restingin a danger position, and switch-contacts associated with said signaland included in the aforesaid actuatingcircuit, said contacts beingclosed to complete said actuating-circuit only so long as the sig nal isin its danger position.

13. In a circuit-controllingdevice, the combination with a ratchet-wheelmounted to rotate in suitable standards, of insulated contact-platessecured to said ratchet-wheel, an insulated piece supported by saidplates, a linger of conducting material resting upon said insulation andadapted when said plates are moved to connect the same together, andmeans for imparting motion to said ratchetwheel.

l. In a circuit-controlling device, the combination with a ratchet-wheelmounted to retate in suitable supports, of insulated contactplatesmounted upon the shaft with said ratchet-wheel and secured thereto, saidplates forming the terminals of an electric circuit, an insulating-piecesupported by said plates, a second ratchet-wheel, a finger of conductingmaterial carried thereby and normally resting upon saidinsulating-piece, means for advancing one of said ratchet-wheels topermit the finger to connect said contact-plates together, and means foradvancing the other ratchet-wheel to restore said finger and plates totheir normal relative positions.

15. In a circuit-controlling device, the combination with aratchet-wheel mounted to r0- tate in suitable supports, of insulatedcontactdisks mounted upon the shaft with said ratchetwheel and securedthereto, said disks forming the terminals of an electric circuit, aninsulating-piece supported by the peripheries of said disks, a finger ofconducting material normally restingupon said insulating-piece, andadapted when said disks are rotated to connect the same together, and amagnet controlling the movement of the said ratchet-wheel.

16. In a circuit-controlling device, the combination with aratchet-wheel mounted to rotate in suitable standards, of insulatedcontactplates mounted upon the shaft with said ratchet-wheel, andsecured. thereto, said plates forming the terminals of an electriccircuit, an insulating-piece carried by said plates, a secondratchet-wheel mounted to rotate in said standards, a finger ofconducting material carried by said wheel normally resting upon saidinsulating-piece and adapted to connect said plates together when thesame are rotated, a magnet controlling the rotation of saidfirstmentioned ratchet-wheel to rotate said plates, and a second magnetcontrolling the rotation of the second ratchet-wheel to move said fingerforward upon the said insulating-piece.

17 In a block-signal, the combination with a solenoid, of a coretherefor, a signal-arm controlled by said core, lenses of distinctivecolor carried by said arm, an electric lamp behind one of said lenses,the other of said lenses being brought in front of said lamp when thesignal-arm is moved, a circuit for said lamp controlled by saidsolenoid-core in its movement, a circuit for said solenoid,magneticallyactuated step-by-step mechanism controlling said circuit,and switching devices controlling the operation of said step-by-stepmechanism.

18. In a signaling system for electric railways, the combination with abranch circuit extending from the trolley-wire, a switch device adaptedwhen actuated to complete said circuit, step-by-step mechanism actuatedin the completion of said circuit, a solenoid, a circuit thereforcontrolled by said step-bystep mechanism, a signal-lamp, a semaphorearmcontrolled by said solenoid and adapted when moved to bring a lens ofdistinctive color in front of said lamp, and a circuit for said lampcontrolled by said semaphore-arm in its movements; whereby upon theclosing of said switch device, the semaphore-arm is moved into analternate position and asignal of distinctive color displayed by saidlamp.

19. The combination with an electromagnet, of a pivoted armaturetherefor, a pawl carried by said armature, a ratchet-wheel adapted to beoperated by said pawl, a detent engaging the teeth of saidratchet-wheel, and lugs carried by the armature and engaging saiddetent, whereby the same is locked to prevent movement of theratchet-wheel.

20. The combination with an electromagnet, of apivoted armaturetherefor, a pawl carried by said armature, a ratchet-wheel and a supporttherefor, said ratchet-wheelbeing adapted to be operated by said pawl, adetent pivoted to said support and engaging the teeth of saidratchet-wheel, and lugs formed by the end of the armature'and engagingthe free end of said detent, whereby said detent is locked in positionto prevent the movement of the ratchet-wheel in either direction.

In witness whereof we hereunto subscribe our names this 1st day of July,A. D. 1904.

FRANK R. MOBERTY. MALCOLM E. LAUNBRANCH.

Witnesses:

E. R. SKINNER, E. F. BEAUBIEN.

